Steering device for motor-vehicles.



PATENTED JULY 21, 1903. F. J. TROMBLE.

STE-BRING DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 7. 1903.

N0 MODEL.

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, A-TTORNEY UNIT D STATES Patented July 21, 190s.

PATENT OFFICE.

FREMONT J. TROMBLE, OF BAY CITY, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TOHARRISON W. GARLAND, CF BAY CITY, MICHIGAN.

STEERING DEVICE FOR MOTOR-VEHICLES.

S1?EGI FIO'ATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 734,202, dated July21, 1903.

Application filed May 7, 1903. Serial No. 156,066. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FREMONT J. TROMBLE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Bay City, in the county of Bay and State of Mich- '10skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use'the same.

This invention isa steering device for motorvehicles. Its object is toreduce the vibration and jar produced in the steering-handle by theWheels when running over uneven roads and to render steering easier,smoother, and more accurate.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whioh- 2oFigural is a top plan view of the device,

the running-gear of the vehicle being indicated by dotted lines. Fig. 2is a rear view showing the positions of the cushioningsprings whenrunning straight ahead. Fig.

3 is a similar view showing the cushioningsprings when the wheels areturned, as in rounding a corner. Fig. 4is a detail side view of thecentering-arm.

A pair of cushioning-springs S and S, carried by thelink 1,that connectsthe two wheelguiding arms 2, are arranged on each side of a fixed arm orequivalent member 3, carried by any convenient part of the vehicle-bodyor secured to the front axle 4, as in Fig. 1.

The outer ends of the springs are secured to the link 1 in any suitablemanner, as by adjustable set-collars C and C'. The inner end of eachspring has a washer 5 5 slidable on the link 1, so that either springcan be com- 0 pressed by pressure on its inner end. Be-

tween the slidable washers 5 and 5 is the arm 3, adapted to compressonespring or the other as the link 1 moves lengthwise in steering. Theoffice of the opposing springs S and S is to restore the wheels to theircentral or straightahead position when they are temporarily defiected bybounding over obstructions or unevenness in the road. Without suchcushioning members every small jerk of the wheels causes a correspondingvibration or tug on the steering-handle and makes it necessary for theoperator to hold the handle firmly and remain constantly on guard toprevent being suddenly swerved from his course.

To render the device more effective in eliminating jar on thesteering-handle by reducing the sensitiveness of the wheels to lateraldisplacement, I provide means whereby one of the springs is heldinoperative, while the other is compressed by the movement of the linkl.By this arrangement both springs can be kept under initial compressionand yet operate perfectly independent of each other, so that the fulleffect of one spring is exerted on the link 1 as'soon as the link moveslengthwise without any counter-pressure being exerted by the otherspring. The means I employ to effect these results is illustrated inFigs. 2, 3, and t. The arm 3 is slotted to permit a collar 1 on the link1 to pass freely through it as the link moves back and forth inexecuting the various operations of steering. When the wheels are intheir straightahead position, the collar 1 is in line with the fixed arm3 and the slidable washers 5 5 are pressed against its ends by thesprings S and S, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. If, however, the wheels aresuddenly deflected by an obstruction in the road, link 1 will suddenlymove lengthwise, say, to the right, as in Fig. 3. The collars 1 and Cconfine the spring S, which remains inopera-' tive, although still underits initial pressure; but the movement of the link ,1 presses the washer5 against the fixed arm 3, so that the spring S is compressed betweenthe arm and the collar C. The reaction of spring S immediately restoreslink 1 and the steeringwheels to their normal positions, thus relievingthe operator of that labor, which he would otherwise have to perform inovercoming the sudden jerk of the steering-handle.

The wheels may be made more or less sensitive to sudden deflection byaltering the initial compression-of the spring S and S. This 5 isaccomplished by adjusting the collars C and C lengthwise the shaft, soas to compress the springs to any extent desired. The collars areprovided with set-screws or similar.devicesfor that purpose. too

While I have shown my invention as applied to whatis commonly known asthe sidesteering type of motor vehicle, it may equally well be appliedto the center-steering or other type.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isas follows:

1. In a device of the class described the combination with thelongitudinally-movable steering-link of a motor-vehicle; a fixed slottedarm carried by the front axle; a collar on said link arranged toregister with the fixed arm when the steering-link is in straightaheadposition; and adapted to pass transversely through the slot of said armwhen the link moves lengthwise; a slidable washer each side of saidcollar and a pair of springs carried by said link, each spring havingits outer end secured to the link and longitudinally adjustable thereon;its inner end being movable thereon and normally pressing against saidcollar.

2. In combination with the longitudinallymovable steering-link ofamotor-vehicle; a collar on said link; a pair of springs carried by saidlink, one on each side of said collar; the outer end of each springbeing secured to the link and its inner end being slidable thereon andnormally pressing against said collar; together with a fixed arm carriedby the vehiclebody and arranged to register with said collar when thesteering-link is in straight-ahead position and to compress one of saidsprings when the steering-link moves longitudinally.

3. In a device of the class described; the longitudinally-movablesteering-link; a pair of compressible springs mounted thereon and havingtheir outer ends secured thereto; a collar fixed to the links betweenthe inner ends of-said springs; together with a fixed arm carried by thevehicle-body, adapted to register with said collar when the link is instraight-ahead position and to actuate one only of said springs when thelink moves longitudinally.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FREMONT J. TROMBLE. V Witnesses:

GEO. B. WILLcoX, A. A. EASTERLY.

